Phyliss Shanken, M.A.
2321 North Broad Street
Colmar, PA 18915

215-997-9596
pshanken@comcast.net

As a member of group, I agree to the following:

1. Everything said in the group is confidential.

2. If I am going to be absent from a meeting, I will call Phyliss Shanken at 215-997-9596 and leave a message as to why I will not be there. (The group should not be left to wonder why a person is late or absent.)

3. We will accept and protect the belongingness of each member: Everyone here is equal and has the same right to be here. There is no one type of personal background, age or problem that is more acceptable than another.

4. There are no requirements for contributing to the group. Just being here is my contribution.

5. I have the right to say “I pass” at any time. (If someone directs a question to me or makes a request of me and I do not wish to speak, I am encouraged to say, “I pass” and no one will question me.)

6. Any topic is acceptable to discuss even if it has been previously discussed.

7. I have the right to express whatever I am thinking and feeling and others have the same right. If I and the other person express different feelings or thoughts about the same issue, it doesn’t make one of us right and the other one wrong.

8. If I have a complaint, concern, or doubt about the group or any one member, I will not exit the group room. I will remain in the group and attempt to work out my feelings within the group. (If I feel too uncomfortable to bring it up in the group, then I am invited to talk to Phyliss Shanken privately.)

9. I will not socialize nor communicate with group members outside of group.

10. If I happen to see a group member outside of group, I will report the details of that meeting to the group at the first possible opportunity (including any discussion we may have had about the group.)

11. If I plan to stop participating in the group, I agree to give the group four weeks notice.